President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has alleged that individuals attacking President Bola Tinubu and his supporters on social media are receiving payment for their activities.
Akpabio made the allegation on Wednesday when a northern youth group, Arewa Revival Project, led by its coordinator, Mustafa Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit at his office.
The group, whose members are drawn from the 19 northern states, presented an award to the Senate President in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.
Akpabio thanked the group for the recognition and urged its members to intensify grassroots mobilisation in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. He said Nigerians needed to understand the benefits of continuity in government.
He said, “Whatever we are doing today, we are doing it to stabilise your future and ensure the survival of Nigeria. So it is good that you are seeing it.
“It is not going to be easy for you because most of those who are attacking the President and attacking these young men on social media are being paid. You are not being paid.
“You may not be able to have the kind of energy and time with them. But once in a while, gather the youth together and let them see the truth and know the truth. That attacking government that is working well for them, trying to bring uncertainty is not the best.”
The Senate President urged young people to participate actively in shaping the country’s future, arguing that the administration’s policies were designed to protect their long-term prospects.
He also accused some social media users who criticise Tinubu and his supporters of being paid, calling on the group to counter what he described as propaganda by engaging Nigerians at the grassroots.
The 2027 general election is expected to see Tinubu seek a second term amid efforts by opposition parties to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Akpabio also defended the President’s economic policies, including the tax reforms, saying the administration was working to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on crude oil.
He said, “I expect the Nigerian youth to rise above social media propaganda because this President has managed to take us out of a mono-economy- an economy that was dependent only on crude oil. He has brought innovations to bear through the tax reform system, through tinkering with anachronistic laws.
“No President has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence. The naysayers will not want to say so. But I’m very proud, and members of the National Assembly are very proud. We hold our heads very high and say, yes, we have given him a pass mark and that we have endorsed him to come for a second term in office.
“I give glory to God that Nigeria is still surviving and surviving because we have a President who thinks and somebody who wants to face challenges, and he is facing the challenges.”